Associate of Science in Business

What is the Associate of Science in Business degree?

The Associate of Science (AS) in Business degree is specifically designed to transfer to other colleges and universities. It contains a curriculum of basic first- and second-year courses which fulfill the general education requirements of most four-year institutions along with core business program requirements. The result is a well-rounded education that prepares students for the demands of upper level courses and/or future employment needs.

How does it transfer?

The 42 hours of general education in the AS in Business degree transfers as a block to four-year public colleges and Universities in the State of Missouri, thanks to the credit transfer policy of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE). This degree is structured for entry into baccalaureate degree business programs offered at four-year colleges or universities. As a result, students with the AS will go into four-year public institutions with junior standing and with virtually all of their freshman and sophomore general education requirements completed. This degree also prepares the student for the Bachelor of Science in General Business degree offered through Missouri State University on the West Plains campus. Many private colleges and universities in the state also honor the AS degree.

Why should I get an AS degree?

As pointed out above, having the degree ensures transferability of college credit hours at the freshman and sophomore level. The AS degree also is “locked in,” which means the credits will transfer as a block into a baccalaureate degree program, even several semesters after the AS degree’s completion. This degree also provides core business courses which allow the student to seek employment in the business field while continuing his education.

Business (AS)

Associate of Science

The Associate of Science (AS) in Business prepares students for transfer to a four-year business degree in information technology, finance, general business, management, marketing and accounting. The AS in Business includes the general education courses needed for a bachelors degree plus key business courses. 60 credit hours

Degree Requirements

Written Communications Credit Hours
ENG 110 Writing I 3
Writing II: Select three (3) credit hours
  • ENG 210 Writing II: Academic Writing OR
  • ENG 221 Writing II: Writing for the Professions
 3
Oral Communications Credit Hours
COM 115 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
Mathematical Sciences Credit Hours
MTH 136 Pre-Calculus I: Algebra or higher (Except MTH 197 and MTH 297) 3
Natural Sciences Credit Hours
Select a minimum of seven (7) credit hours of natural science courses, including at least one course with lab component, from the list of approved Natural Sciences Core 42 courses. 7
Social and Behavioral Science Credit Hours
ECO 155 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
ECO 165 Principles of Microeconomics 3
Civics: Select three (3) credit hours
  • HST 121 Survey of US History to 1877 OR
  • HST 122 Survey of US History Since 1877 OR
  • PLS 101 American Democracy and Citizenship
 3
Humanities and Fine Art Credit Hours
BUS 170 Business and Professional Ethics 3
Select six (6) credit hours from the list of approved Humanities and Fine Arts Core 42 courses. 6
Additional General Education Credit Hours
PSY 121 Introductory Psychology 3
Select three (3) credit hours from the list of approved Core 42 courses. 3
Institutional Requirements Credit Hours
CIS 101 Computers for Learning 3
IDS 110 Student Success 2
Business Requirements Credit Hours
ACC 201 Introduction to Financial Accounting 3
BUS 297 International Business Capstone 3
Select six (6) credit hours from the list below
  • ACC 211 Introduction to Managerial Accounting
  • MGT 286 Business Communications
  • LAW 231 Legal Environment of Business
  • QBA 237 Business Statistics
 6
Business (AS) Degree Credit Hours
Total Hours Required 60
Degree Notes:
  1. Math requirements exclude MTH 197 or MTH 297.
  2. Students are required to complete a minimum of three (3) credit hours of math, regardless of placement.
  3. BUS/IDS 297 is also an institutional requirement.
  4. Electives must be approved by the department.
  5. Students should confirm the transferability of courses with their transfer university before completing courses at MSU-WP.
  6. This degree is a transfer degree and contains the Missouri Higher Education Core Transfer Curriculum (Core 42).

Students are strongly encouraged to confirm the transferability of individual courses to other institutions prior to enrollment. Not all courses will transfer or satisfy specific degree requirements for bachelor degrees